Christmas/New Years

It never seemed like Christmas, I guess it just never really hit me that it was there. I was actually glad that it didnt because than it would of made me feel sad, or depressed, which for an exchange student is not a good feeling to get because you have that plane ticket home starring you right back in the face. My Christmas break was fun though, and I think my host family was trying to put alot of activities so it kept my mind off of home. We drove to see their family and friends, and I had to laugh when I got my presents because normally Im use to my family knowing what I need or want, but this year I just got alot of chocolate, and candy. I did get a book too, and some movie tickets from rotary. The day after christmas we went to this lake where you can wake board or ski the day after christmas, it was freezing and the water was even colder. It was cool how it was set up though because there were no boats pulling the lines there was a pully system hooked

up that would take you around the whole lake. I didnt go wake boarding but I did get to see some pretty cool stunts that people could do. It sorta looked easier with this than it would be with a boat because it pulls from up top and stays at a cosistant speed.

After visting family we drove to friends who lived outside of Berlin. When we got there the first thing we did was go to a Weinachtsmarkt which was Huge, and than went ice skating and I even got to see a little bit of a concert on Ice. I also went to the zoo where I finally caught a monkey in action throwing its poo and than eating it I was grossed out but still thought it was funny that I caught the monkey doing it. I also went shopping alot while I was there and saw the most amazing mall that would put the mall of america to shame. At first when I was walking up to it I asked if we were going to a museum the girls just started to laugh and said no thats a mall. It was the coolest looking mall ever because it looked so old on the outside but inside was amazing with light up elevators and glass everywhere and lots and lots of fountains. Finally it was new years and my family took me to a party where we stayed up and played Wii, and another game called the buzz game and than of course phase 10 which is a great game. Right when it struck 12 everyone toasted with their glasses of champagne and than we went out side and the sky was light up with fireworks, I have to seen so many fireworks going off in the streets like I did then, I think its because its the only tiem of year people can buy and blow them off. I of course stuck with the sparklers... i still have not gotten around to lighting the actual fireworks off yet, but the little kids were amazed at my ability to hold five large sparklers at a time all being lit. Finally someone sees my natural sparkler talent. Well if I havent told you Merry Be-lated Christmas, and a Happy New Year